God’s love in action is still found in places we least expect…

Beside a soccer field, two mums chat as they watch their kids train. Jill has long since concluded that Lisa has no interest in the good news. Until one day Lisa suddenly asks for a copy of the Bible, and asks many deep questions about faith.

2

Mariam is a guard in a women’s prison. One day, she joins in an embroidery class for inmates. She shows a real flair and, with the encouragement of facilitators, goes on to finish the course and help other students. Mariam has now earned a qualification, a promotion and is allowed to teach in the prison.

3

International Masters students learn from Hannah, a young nun who is using permaculture to run a zero-waste retreat centre and address the environmental challenges of her country. In her own society Hannah lives at the margins, but here she shows the world how to live passionately for Jesus in the dirt of the everyday.

4

In remote Central Asia, a formerly disengaged teacher becomes an inspirational practitioner of learner-centred teaching. What brought about the change?

Two travellers stay at a guesthouse in the mountains. A young boy, Ron, finds Tina reading her Bible in her room and asks her questions about it. Later in the kitchen, Ron asks more questions of Tina’s friend and his grandma translates into their mother tongue.

6

At a military checkpoint, a General shakes hands with a local church leader who has been administering flood relief. On all past occasions when these two have met, it’s been handcuffs, not handshakes.

7

In the beer halls and brothels of a capital city, young women workers (12–20) can participate in health education and craft sessions. Because of the people they met there, a whole group of these women have learned about a Father who loves them and decided to trust in Him.

8

In a suburban church, a migrant couple is devastated. Despite best intentions all their dreams about life in Australia have been shattered. Yet, as they’ve read the Bible with a CultureConnect friend, our Father has met them at their point of grief and revealed his love for them in a whole new way.

Each dot reveals a story. Click yellow dots to read more. All names have been changed.

Interserve workers tell stories of encountering Jesus in the most remote villages of Central Asia, prisons of North Africa and flooded regions of South East Asia, between soccer mums in the Arab world, sex workers in South East Asia, and amidst profound disappointment in Australia.

God doesn’t only arrive in these places when we do. He was always there! God is at work, and we have the privilege of joining in His mission.

Show me the road I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.

Psalm 143:8

Interserve workers follow God into the unexpected places, searching for Him at work among the poor, the sick and imprisoned; inside the stable, village and city; and in nations where His people are few and repressed.

We are God’s ordinary, unexpected servants sharing His abundant grace, peace, provision and restoration where He is already quietly at work.

Would you consider making a special gift at Christmas to support Interserve workers?